Apparatus for adapting distribution of network events

Abstract

This invention concerns a method of adapting distribution of network events between two networks in accordance with customer feedback in respect of the networks. The method includes modelling network behaviour for certain network traffic profiles, adapting network parameters for one of the networks, assessing customer reaction to the adapted and unmodified network, and modifying the distribution of traffic between the networks in accordance with the customer feedback.

1 . A network simulation method comprising the steps of: 
 (i) creating simulated first and second networks, each simulated network comprising data indicative of a plurality of network nodes and network links therebetween and being operable to process one or more simulated network events in accordance with a plurality of network algorithms, each network algorithm being characterised by a plurality of simulated network parameters;    (ii) modifying a group of one or more simulated network parameters;    (iii) applying the group of modified simulated network parameters to said network algorithms for the first simulated network, and causing the first simulated network to process the one or more simulated network evtents;    (iv) applying a group of one or more unmodified simulated network parameters to said network algorithms for the second simulated network, and causing the second simulated network to process said one or more simulated network events;    (v) for the first and second simulated networks, evaluating the success or otherwise of the respective simulated network to process the or each simulated network event, and quantifying the same as first and second performance values;    (vi) comparing the first and second quantified performance values with a predetermined performance value and identifying which of the first or second quantified performance values most closely resembles the predetermined performance value; characterised in that for each simulated network, step (v) involves for the or each processed simulated network event: 
 identifying a type of simulated customer involved in the processed simulated network event;  
 selecting a customer profile relating to the identified simulated customer type;  
 receiving data indicative of the success, or otherwise, of the simulated network to process the simulated event;  
 identifying, on the basis of the selected customer profile and the received data, a performance figure, and  
 combining the identified performance figures from all of the processed simulated network events to yield a combined performance value;  
 and by, in response to receipt of a plurality of other simulated network events, assigning more of the plurality of other simulated network events to the simulated network corresponding to the identified performance value than to the other simulated network, thereby adapting distribution of simulated network events between the two simulated networks.  
   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which the customer profile includes data identifying customer expectations of any one, or all, of quality of service, network charging rates and network downtime.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the data in the customer profile varies as a function of time of day, so that the step of identifying a performance figure on the basis of the selected customer profile and the received data involves retrieving data from the customer profile corresponding to the time at which the simulated network event was processed.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which step (ii) involves 
 obtaining a plurality of initial strings of values to form a population, the initial strings of values representing values of a group of one or more simulated network parameters;    applying a genetic algorithm to the population so as to generate modified simulated parameter values;    inputting the modified parameter values to the network algorithms;    inputting one or more simulated network events to a simulated network;    evaluating the success or otherwise of the simulated network to process the or each simulated network event, and quantifying the same as a first performance value;    repeating the applying, inputting and evaluating steps at least twice and identifying which of the first performance values most closely resembles a predetermined response value, the modified parameters corresponding thereto being those applied to the network algorithms at step (ii).    
     
     
         5 . A computer program, or a suite of computer programs, comprising a set of instructions to cause a computer, or a suite of computers, to perform the method according to  claims 1  to  4 .  
     
     
         6 . Network simulation apparatus including 
 first and second simulated networks, each simulated network comprising data indicative of a plurality of network nodes and network links therebetween and being operable to process one or more simulated network events in accordance with a plurality of network algorithms, wherein each network algorithm is characterised by a plurality of simulated network parameters;    modifying means arranged to modify a group of one or more simulated network parameters;    means arranged to input the group of modified simulated network parameters to the first simulated network and to input a group of unmodified simulated parameters to the second simulated network;    evaluating means arranged to evaluate the success or otherwise of the respective simulated network to process the or each simulated network event, and to quantify the same as first and second performance values;    comparing means arranged to compare the first and second quantified performance values with a predetermined performance value and to identify which of the first and second quantified performance values most closely resembles the predetermined performance value; characterised in that for the or each processed simulated network event, the evaluating means is arranged to: 
 identify a type of simulated customer involved in the processed simulated network event;  
 select a customer profile relating to the identified simulated customer type;  
 receive data indicative of the success, or otherwise, of the simulated network to process the simulated event;  
 identify, on the basis of the selected customer profile and the received data, a performance figure, and  
 combine the identified performance figures from all of the processed simulated network events to yield a combined performance value;  
 and in that the apparatus includes 
 assigning means arranged, in response to receipt of a plurality of other simulated network events, to assign more of the plurality of other simulated network events to the simulated network corresponding to the identified performance value than to the other simulated network, thereby adapting distribution of simulated network events between the two simulated networks.  
 
   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , in which the customner profile includes data identifying customer expectations of any one, or all, of quality of service, network charging rates and network downtime.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , in which the data in the customer profile varies with time of day.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  8 , including means arranged to create the first and second simulated networks.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the modifying means is operable to 
 receive a plurality of initial strings of values to form a population, the initial strings of values representing values of a group of one or more simulated network parameters; and  
 apply a genetic algorithm to the population so as to generate modified simulated parameter values.  
 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 9  to  10 , including at least a third simulated network.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the modifyinig means is arranged to generate at least a second group of one or more modified network parameters, the said second group of network parameters being input to the third simulated network, and wherein the evaluating means (iii) is arranged evaluate the success or otherwise of the third simulated network to process the or each simulated network event, and to quantify the same as third performance value, which third customer value is used by the assigning means to modify the allocation of network events in respect of the first, second and third simulated networks.